21st Century Technology: From Trepidation to Triumph

          This week marked the beginning of my Nursing Informatics course.  To be an emerging nurse educator in the 21^st century age of technology, one must first learn what technology the 21^st century has to offer.  Guess what?  There is a lot.  I began this course with some trepidation.  How can I possibly become familiar enough to use any of this new technology to utilize in my own classroom?

          

          The first technology challenge assignment was to create an infographic based on my clinical area of concern.  Infographics are everywhere now and I LOVE THEM.  I had fleetingly considered becoming an art teacher early in my undergraduate studies, so the opportunity to mingle my two favorite subjects was intriguing.  I created my infographic on a free website called Venngage.  It was simple to use, and fun.  Fun?  Yes, technology is fun!

          

                      

          Navigating the first technology challenge triumphantly has given me the courage to continue to incorporate technology into my teaching.  I can see creating more infographics in the future as both a hospital-based and academic nurse educator.  Creating an infographic could be considered a modern take on a poster presentation, especially in an online classroom setting.

Reflection

          

         Completing the technology assignment has also made me think more about my role in the modern classroom.  I am part of Generation X, and believe I fall within the typical description.  I grew up within a world of ever-expanding technology, and am comfortable with computers and new technologies.  The majority of my students will be Millennials, known as digital natives.  As an emerging nurse educator, I will strive to maintain not only a level of comfort with technology, but proficiency as well in order to act as a guide or facilitator of my students' learning.  The student-centered classroom focuses less on lecture and more on active, collaborative learning. 


          In thinking about the student-centered pedagogy of this century, I am reminded of Jean Watson's thoughts on the teacher-learner relationship.  Our relationship is one of mutual respect; our learning journey is concurrent (Watson, 2008).  We will navigate the ever-expanding world of technology together, learning and growing together.  In the meantime, I will continue to learn new strategies for learning in the student-centered classroom that involve technology.  Because the time we have together is limited, the technological enhancements to the classroom will be worthwhile, and add value to the learning experience.  In the online classroom setting, technology will be used to connect with the students to promote the caring teacher-learner relationship, as described by Watson. 


          Going forward, I envision myself as a facilitator and guide to my students as they balance technology with nursing.  As fun and interesting as technology can be in both the classroom and the healthcare setting, it cannot replace care.  The role of the 21^st century nurse educator is balancing technology with the art of nursing.

Example of Infographic and Web Resources:

 

This is my infographic introducing undergraduate nursing students to Perinatal Loss.  Piktochart is another free, easy-to-use infographic design website.  This blog offers several other websites for creating free infographics.


Until my next adventure,

Crystal

Reference:

Watson, J. (2008). Nursing. The philosophy and science of caring (Revised ed.). Boulder, CO: University Press of Colorado.